System And Apparatus For Cookware Storage

ABSTRACT

A storage rack assembly for storing cookware comprising: a mountable rack assembly, where the rack assembly includes two side bars and plurality of cross bars. The cross bars join the side bars and create a rack assembly. Side rails are provided along the side bars of the rack assembly where the side rails provide a mechanism for mounting the rack assembly onto a ball bearing mounting rack. The assembly further includes a plurality of adjustable hooks that are insertable upon the rack assembly and capable of receiving pots and pans for storage. At least one midsection bar joins the side bars at a mid section of the rack assembly. In one particular embodiment, the storage rack assembly is substantially rectangular in shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system and apparatus for storing cookware in a convenient and efficient manner.

2. Description of Related Art

Many household kitchens and especially commercial/restaurant kitchens have a large collection and assortment of cookware. The cookware may include a significant number of pots, pans, skillets, lids and other related containers. A variety of cookware may be necessary to prepare various recipes and cuisines that require specific cookware.

Consequently, any collection of cookware must be stored when not in use and a variety of methods and devices have been developed to address this issue. In some instances cookware is stacked in a cabinet kitchen, or in certain instances, the pots and pans may be placed on hooks that hang on a rack that may be assembled in the kitchen area. Where cookware is stored in a cabinet many times the lids that may be associated with a particular pot or skillet may not be readily accessible and therefore a user may have to locate the correct lid for the container. Furthermore, the stacking may not be uniform and therefore various size pots and pans must be inefficiently stored in the cabinet.

Some storage racks have been developed to provide a means to store and organize cookware. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,531 which discloses a holder for suspending the handles of pots from hooks and where each hook includes a co-acting vertical elongated member that provides a means to engage the pot lid whereas the pot and lid are stored together on one suspended member. Another example of a pot and pan mounting apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,608,305 that discloses a sliding panel that may be mounted in a cabinet unit or under a work counter where the panel is contained within the cabinet and provides a means to support pots, pans and covers thereof.

Although some devices have been developed to address the problem of cookware storage, further development in this area is necessary as to provide the user with a suitable means for storage of cookware. Such a device is desirable that may be placed within a cabinet where the pots and lids are stored away from sight but are however conveniently stored so that they may be easily located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storage rack assembly for storing cookware comprising: a mountable rack assembly, said rack assembly includes two side bars and plurality of bars, where said cross bars join the side bars and create a rack assembly; side rails along the side bars of the rack assembly wherein the side rails provide a means for mounting the rack assembly onto a ball bearing mounting slides; a plurality of adjustable hooks, where said hooks are insertable upon the rack assembly and capable of receiving pots and pans for storage; and at least one midsection bar that joins the side bars at a mid section of the rack assembly. In one particular embodiment, the storage rack assembly is substantially rectangular in shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a top view of a storage rack system for organizing cookware according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of a storage rack system for organizing cookware according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of a storage rack system for organizing cookware according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a storage rack for organizing, pots, pans, skillets and other cookware that is easily accessible but is stored within a conventional kitchen cabinet. The storage rack according to the present invention is stored and mounted into a lower cabinet so that it is concealed and therefore provides a convenient means for the storage of cookware. The storage rack according to the present invention is self-contained and may vary in size to accommodate various sizes of cabinets.

A Storage Rack 10 is depicted in FIG. 1. The Storage Rack 10 includes a plurality of adjustable Hooks 12 and a ball-bearing-mounted draw Assembly 14. As noted a number of pots, pans or other cookware may be hung upon the plurality of Hooks 12 provided in the Storage Rack 10. The storage rack is mounted upon ball-bearing slides that are on the inner walls of the cabinet where the storage rack is mounted. Consequently, the Storage Rack 10 may be pulled out like a drawer to provide access to the cookware on the Storage Rack 10. The Storage Rack 10 is substantially rectangular in shape and may be adjustable in height and width to accommodate various cabinet sizes. The frame section of the Storage Rack 10 may be manufactured of plywood, metal or recycled plastics.

Although not shown, straps may be provided to secure the lids to the corresponding pots that are stored within the Storage Rack 10. The straps provide a means to secure the cookware in one complete unit and to allow the pot or pan to hang from one of the Hooks 12. The Hooks 12 have an S shape and are suspended upon rods that run along the depth of the Storage Rack 10. Since the Hooks 12 are not permanently attached to any particular position within the Storage Rack 10, the Hooks 12 may be positioned in a manner to accommodate the cookware that is desired to be stored within the Storage Rack 10.

The draw Assembly 14 is a frame configuration that includes Side Rails 18 a, 18 b which extend along the Side Bars 11 a, 11 b. The Side Bars 11 a, 11 b adjoin with Cross Bars 13 a, 13 b, therefore the frame section of the storage rack includes a substantially rectangular shape. In addition to the Cross Bars 13 a, 13 b, Midsection Bars 21 a, 21 b, 21 c are provided across the mid section of the opening that creates the frame of the Storage Rack 10. The Midsection Bars 21 a, 21 b, 21 c provide a means for the hanging of Hooks 12 throughout the Frame Assembly 14. The Hooks 12 may be attached across the various bars that make up the construction of the Frame Assembly 14. Although shown in this particular embodiment with a rectangular shape, the Frame Assembly 14 may also be configured in a square configuration based upon the desired application of the Storage Rack 10. The Side Rails 18 a, 18 b are rails that suitable for insertion onto a ball bearing draw assembly and would receive ball bearing assembly on the inner walls of the cabinet, not shown. The plurality of Hooks 12 provide a means for hanging various pots and pans onto the frame assembly once it's inserted into a cabinet for use.

Cookware may be removed out of Storage Rack 10 as desired and then the rack is pushed along the ball-bearing mountings into the cabinet so that the cabinet may be shut to contain the cookware collection. The advantage of using the Storage Rack 10 according to the present invention is the expandability of the storage system that may be expanded within the lower cabinet areas of any kitchen. Should lower cabinet space become unavailable or full to capacity additional cabinets may be made with a similar storage rack system according to the present invention. The present invention provides an efficient and effective device to store cookware in any kitchen. The storage rack according to the present invention is easily assembled within a lower cabinet without the use of specialized equipment. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A storage rack assembly for storing cookware comprising: a. a mountable rack assembly, said rack assembly includes two side bars and a plurality of cross bars, where said cross bars join the side bars and create a rack assembly; b. side rails along the side bars of the rack assembly wherein the side rails provide a means for mounting the rack assembly onto a ball bearing mounting rack; c. a plurality of adjustable hooks, where said hooks are insertable upon the rack assembly and capable of receiving pots and pans for storage; and d. at least one midsection bar that joins the side bars at a mid section of the rack assembly.
 2. The storage rack assembly according to claim 1, wherein storage rack assembly is substantially rectangular in shape.
 3. The storage rack assembly according to claim 1, wherein said storage rack assembly is adjustable in height and width to accommodate various sizes.
 4. The storage rack assembly according to claim 1, wherein said storage rack assembly is manufactured of at least one of plywood, metal, recycled plastics and aluminum. 